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RAC apologises after breaking insurance rules RAC apologises after breaking insurance rules
(about 1 hour later)
The RAC has been forced to apologise to more than a million of its breakdown customers, after failing to meet the rules on insurance renewals.The RAC has been forced to apologise to more than a million of its breakdown customers, after failing to meet the rules on insurance renewals.
Some of those customers will receive financial compensation.Some of those customers will receive financial compensation.
The Financial Conduct Authority - which introduced new guidelines a year ago - said such behaviour was "unacceptable".The Financial Conduct Authority - which introduced new guidelines a year ago - said such behaviour was "unacceptable".
When customers receive a renewal, they should be told prominently what they paid in the previous year. They should also be encouraged to shop around.When customers receive a renewal, they should be told prominently what they paid in the previous year. They should also be encouraged to shop around.
However, when the RAC sent out breakdown policy renewal letters, they failed to do either.However, when the RAC sent out breakdown policy renewal letters, they failed to do either.
'Clear and fair''Clear and fair'
"It is simply unacceptable to see that some firms are still not being properly transparent with their customers a year on from the introduction of the rules," said Jonathan Davidson, executive director of supervision at the FCA."It is simply unacceptable to see that some firms are still not being properly transparent with their customers a year on from the introduction of the rules," said Jonathan Davidson, executive director of supervision at the FCA.
"Firms failing to get this right may have led to consumers losing out as they do not have the right information to decide whether or not to shop around.""Firms failing to get this right may have led to consumers losing out as they do not have the right information to decide whether or not to shop around."
It is not known how many people will receive compensation.It is not known how many people will receive compensation.
Insurers 'burying price rises'
An RAC spokesperson said: "While our breakdown policy renewal documentation did accurately contain all the necessary information, we recognise that some of the key information in our letters was not as prominently displayed as it should have been.An RAC spokesperson said: "While our breakdown policy renewal documentation did accurately contain all the necessary information, we recognise that some of the key information in our letters was not as prominently displayed as it should have been.
"We continue to be committed to giving members clear and fair information so they can make the right decision, and are contacting those affected to ensure they are satisfied.""We continue to be committed to giving members clear and fair information so they can make the right decision, and are contacting those affected to ensure they are satisfied."
Other firms, including Admiral and M&S Insurance, have previously been criticised for failing to comply with the rules.Other firms, including Admiral and M&S Insurance, have previously been criticised for failing to comply with the rules.
The BBC has also highlighted problems with John Lewis Insurance.The BBC has also highlighted problems with John Lewis Insurance.
The FCA's rules on insurance renewals are listed here.